Northgate Minerals Corp fka NGX

[NYBob]

Matachewan opens mine
By RICK OWEN, NORTHERN NEWS
Updated 7 months ago

http://www.northernnews.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=2478104


-Matachewan and surrounding communities celebrated their gold
medal as Northgate Minerals held an official ceremony to mark
the start of construction of its new Young-Davidson Mine.

The day started with a ceremony at the new mine site where First Nation drummers took part and the company raised it flag.

After a tour of the site the celebration moved to the Matachewan Community Hall.
This part of the day started acwith a traditional Ojibway prayer.

In an interview with the Northern News Northgate Minerals President and CEO Ken Stowe said while the company has two mines in Australia they are much smaller and
the Young- Davidson Mine will be the foundation for Northgate
moving forward for hopefully the next 25 years.

As well Stowe said the company is still in the acquisition mode
and are looking in Canada, including Northeastern Ontario
as well as in Australia, the two places they prefer to be in.

In commenting on the support the company has received from local communities Stowe said, "I think it is a reflection of how we came here four years ago and how we do business.
It is a direct reflection of that."

Timiskaming-Cochrane MPP David Ramsay is also very pleased to see the new mine go a head. He stated:
"This has got to be the best news that hit this area in years and years.
This is a fabulous project that is going to bring 600 jobs for the next two years, 250 jobs for the next 15, probably 25 years because they are finding more and more reserves here.
Because we know this is a very prosperous gold belt here and there is lots of gold here.
I think this is a renaissance in gold mining in this area."

The MPP is also pleased with the agreement reached between Northgate and the Matachewan First Nations.
"It is a great example of when we work together we can move a ahead.
I saw First Nations people all over that site today in hard hats and the benefits in training and work and everything else in terms of that agreement is so good for that community and the whole of Northeastern Ontario. "

Northgate's Chief Operating Officer Peter MacPhail said today's celebration is the culmination of four years of hard work.
A total of 275 diamond drill holes were completed. This adds up to 116 kilometers of diamond drill hole core, enough core to spread from Matachewan to Shillington.
To date they have about four million ounces of gold and will continue to conduct exploration in hopes of adding more ounces.

Now the decision has been made to go a head with the mine MacPhail said there is a lot work going on such as environmental work, baseline studies, engineering design work.

This year Northgate plans on putting up the mill building, road realignment, the shaft and headframe will start and the power line refurbishing will start.

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MacPhail said so far they have a 15 year mine life and look as that as a start.
During that time they will employ about 275 people permanently and during the two-year construction phase there will about 600 people working on the project.

Matachewan Reeve Bev Hine noted that they have given full support to the project and will continue to fully support it. The project will have benefits for the community. "The timely and responsible development of this project will continue to be of significant benefit to the workers and ratepayers of the Township of Matachewan and surrounding communities."

Other communities that will also benefit Hine said include Matachewan's sister community Matachewan First Nation and neighbours Elk Lake, Kirkland Lake, Englehart, Temiskaming Shores and Timmins.

"The resulting jobs, income and community opportunities will all help ensure this area is indeed the best place to live, work and raise our families," said Hine.

Noting that Matachewan is growing at a rate it hasn't in decades thanks to the Young-Davidson project, Hine said, "we are one of the fastest growing communities in Northern Ontario with accommodation rentals continuing to hover at near zero percent vacancy and major increases in housing starts."

Matachewan First Nations Chief Richard Wincikaby congratulated Northgate Minerals and It is our First Nation's commitment to support Northgate with this project. Our area needs a positive economic development in these uncertain times. This mine was long awaited, much needed jobs will be created. Opportunities are within reach for our First Nation and its members. This is an important development for our small community. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Northgate Minerals throughout the life of the mine."

Terry Fiset, Reeve of Elk Lake (James Township), said Elk Lake has always been an advocate of the resource industry and this large project is a step forward. "We take our hats off to Northgate, its staff and board. This is our Olympic gold metal."

"To have something new and this large created for our area is a major step forward," stated Fiset.

Kirkland Lake Mayor Bill Enouy noted that since the late 1980s Matachewan with the closing of the asbestos mine was in decline as was Kirkland Lake but now it appears that "we have hit rock bottom and we're bouncing back because of that rock. There's gold in them thar hills and it has taken investors with creativity and foresight to look at our little portion of Northeastern Ontario and say there is something there."

Enouy also thanked Tom Obradovich, a Kirkland Laker, who got the property back on the market and sold it to Northgate. He thanked Northgate for having the foresight to develop it.

While Kirkland Lake and Matachewan had a set of problems that included, dwindling population and empty buildings now the communities have a new set of good problems and we have to build housing and improve infrastructure and be prepared for the next 10 years. It is going to be a good time for us up here said Enouy.

Mike MacArthur Deputy Mayor of Temiskaming Shores congratulated Northgate and looks forward to the positive production that is coming. He described the people who worked together as a winning team and it is all about creating jobs.

"Our athletes brought home gold and now Matachewan and Northgate are going to continue to bring home gold."

Timmins Mayor Tom Laughren said it is not only an important day for Matachewan it is an important day for Northeastern Ontario. In Timmins the mayor said they are celebrating 100 years of mining and now there is a new mine started. While the North needs diversification Laughren described mining as being the North's life blood.

Christine Kaszyki, Assistant Deputy Minister of Mines and Minerals Division, Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, brought greeting and congratulations from the Minister and said they understand the importance of mining to the North and communities like Matachewan and Matachewan First Nations and will continue to work with Northgate.
Article ID# 2478104

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